To save many of these areas from development that would destroy the natural ecosystem and wipe out many species of animals and plants, he called on businesses to help buy the land. To avoid criticisms of "neo-colonialism", he called on them to hand the land over to local organisations that will protect it while providing jobs for people living in the area.

It's a nice idea, of course, but what's in it for the buyers? Given our perverse economic system, many of us would have serious doubts about corporations buying up land purely for the common good—and concerns about such strategies becoming a smoke screen for further exploitation of people and resources.